Everting apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for everting a supply of a tubular fabric utilizing an elongated, hollow, tubular member about the exterior of which can be collected a supply of tubular fabric by the utilization of a selectively directed air stream. The collected fabric is then directed into and through the interior of the tubular member by a second selectively directed air stream so that the inside of the fabric is turned to the outside and the fabric emerges from the tubular member in an everted condition. Various drive and guide means are incorporated to move the fabric to the tubular member and receive the fabric from the tubular member for conveyance to a remote location.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Roy J. Griffin, Jr. 1,030,336 6/ 1912 Shields 223/39 296 Araminta Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C. 2,3 14,202 3/1943 Ewer et al. 22B/39X 27104 2,428,943 lO/ 1947 Plummer 223/40 [2l] Appl. No. 862,611 3,215,321 1l/l965 Whittemore 223/39 [22] Filed Sept. 5,1969 Primm y Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson [45] Patented Mar' 9 1971 Assistant Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney-Charles Y. Lackey [54] EVERTING APPARATUS AND METHOD 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

Apparatus and method for evening a supply ofa [51] Bft' Cl Auh 43,00 tubular fabric utilizing an elongated, lhollow, tubular member [50] Field of Search 17/43; about the exterior f which can be c'l'lcted supply f 223/39`43i66/149 149 (Suctlomi 15/304 tubular Vfabric by the utiligation of a selectively directed air stream. The clleciedfabricisuthen diire'cted'int and tlrougl'i [56] References Cited the interior of the tubular member by a second selectively UNITED STATES PATENTS directed air stream so that the inside of the fabric is turned to 604,512 5/ 1898 Barrie 223/39 the outside and the fabric emerges from the tubular member 775,992 l 1/ 1904 Shallenberger. 223/3 9X in an everted condition. Various drive and guide means are in- 878,995 2/1908 Palmer.... 223/39X corporated `to move the fabric to the tubular member and 941,164 11/1909 Murphy... 223/39 receive the fabric from the tubular member for conveyance to 952,274 3/1910 Palmer 22B/39X aremote location.

PMENIEU um am SHEET 1 0F v 2 INVE NTOR attorney PATENTE() MAR 9197i SHEET 2 UF 2 F IG. 2

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FIG. 3b

FIG,` 3a

INVNTOR attorney EVERTIING APPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tubular fabric which is produced, for example, in continuous fashion by large-diameter knitting machines until a desired supply is accumulated is usually collected with the fabric dresser or finished exterior outside as the fabric emerges from the machine. Unfortunately, when this fabric is cut and subsequently positioned for seaming to form a finished garment, it is necessary that the fabric interior be exposed to the outside so that the seam will be covered when the garment is everted after completion. Because it is necessary to sew the garments with the inside of the fabric directed upwardly, it is necessary to turn or evert the tubular fabric taken from the knitting machine after it has been dyed or otherwise finished so that it may be spread for the subsequent cutting and seaming operation with the inside of the fabric facing outwardly.

`It has been conventional practice in the cloth manufacturing industry to evert tubular fabric by drawing` the fabric along a horizontal circular member by means of heavy frictionally engaging rollers pulling the fabric inside out across the member. These rollers are covered with the leather or some other substance not greatly susceptible `to wear, and the fabric itself is often damaged by stretching, tearing or snagging during this everting operation. The damage and waste resulting from the operation has precipitated the development of the disclosed invention which avoids any waste and damage caused by the actual everting of the material.

`BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The turning apparatus illustrated and described herein includes a very essential elongated tubular member preferably positioned in a vertical arrangement which initially collects a supply of tubular fabric that is moved from the supply location by fabric drive means and guide means to the top end of the tubular member. As the fabric is presented to this top end, pneumatic means urges the fabric down'around the tubular member until the entire supply is collected thereabout. At that time, the second end of the fabric is introduced into the interior channel of the tubular member and carried therethrough by other pneumatic means whereupon a suitable device receives the fabric and draws it away from the tubular member to a remote location. The annular upper end of the tubular member is provided with a plurality of lfree spinning rollers which facilitate movement of the tubular fabric initially over the outside of the member until it is removed therefrom. Because of the novel pneumatic arrangement for first collecting the fabric and then directing it back through the channel interior, the apparatus can be operated at very high speeds compared to the speeds experienced with conventional equipment.

From the foregoing brief description, it will be obvious that a primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for everting a supply of tubular fabric without the danger of damage to the fabric during the everting operation. In development the apparatus and method comprising the present invention, other objectives were to provide novel pneumatic means for moving fabric over and about the exterior of the tubular member and then back again through i the interior of that member to accomplish the everting operation. It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and method for everting fabric at speeds heretofore unattainable in this particular operation.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION FIG. is a perspective schematic view of the everting apparatus comprising a portion of the present invention illustrating the collection of tubular fabric about the exterior of the tubular member as it is fed from a remote supply.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of the lower discharge portion of the tubular member of the turning apparatus disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational schematic view of tubular fabric being collected or loaded about the outside of the tubular member exterior.

FIG. 3b is a side elevational schematic lview of the collected fabric being introduced and drawn through the interior of the tubular member to accomplish the everting operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective fragmentary view of the pneumatic system used to convey the material about and through the tubular member.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational, sectional, fragmentary and enlarged view of the upper end of the tubular member showing the disposition of the pneumatic system thereabout and the attachment of a plurality of free spinning rollers to accommodate movement of the fabric as it goes over andthrough the tubular member. V

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, an everting apparatus shown `generally at 10 is fabricated preferably by positioning a tubular member 12 in an upright or vertical position as lshown and supporting that member on a frame 14 in any suitable manner. It is contemplated that frame 14 may be positioned directly on a working surface or, alternatively, the frame can be recessed within an evacuated space so that the floor level corresponds to the fabric collecting device 16. Tubular member 12 has preferably a turned lower end 18 which permits the fabric everted therethrough to be drawn outwardly in a horizontal direction and upwardly about a guide roller 20 to a separate collecting means.

Frame 14 is equipped with a pair of drive rolls 22 which are Y driven by a variable speed motor 24 in response to conveniently positioned controls 26. Suitable components 28 are included to permit adjustment of the drive rolls 22 so that a greater or lesser degree of `tension between the rolls can be provided if necessary or desired. A guide 30 extends outwardly from frame 14 below the drive rollers to keep the fabric supply 32 in a consistent condition prior to entry between the drive rolls 22. Another fabric guide member 34 is positioned subsequent the drive rolls 22 and a roller 36 disposed substantially above the upper end of tubular member l2 permits an even dispensation of tubular fabric downwardly therefrom.

The roll 38 of tubular fabric 32 is preferably positioned in a suitable apparatus 40 for permitting expeditious unwinding as the drive rolls 22 draw the tubular fabric upwardly therefrom. The roll 38 contains a preselected supply of tubular fabric in a convenient working length, and it will be readily apparent that this supply can be varied to any extent and limited only by the height of tubular member 12.

The upper end of tubular member l2 shown generally as 42 carries a novel arrangement of outer and inner ring-shaped air manifolds 44 and 46 which are connected by plural air lines 48, 50 and 52, 54 through a pneumatic switch 56 to an air source (not shown). The arrangement of these components about the exterior and interior surface of tubular member 12 is best shown in FIG. 4 wherein it can be seen that the inner manifold 46 is disposed within the interior of the member l2 while the remaining components are secured to the exterior surface of member 12.

The annular edge 56 of the top of tubular member 12 supports a plurality of free spinning rollers 58 suitably held by appropriate brackets 60 to facilitate movement of the tubular fabric over the member end 56 as the :fabric is collected about the exterior of member 12 and back again through the interior during the everting operation. The outer manifold 44 contains a plurality of apertures 62 in and around the ring 47 to form air jets directing air flow outwardly and downwardly from and at angles preferably or less than 90 with the longitudinal axis of member l2. The inner annular manifold 46 also contains a plurality of apertures 64 forming air jets directing air flow inwardly and downwardly from and at angles preferably of less than 90 with the longitudinal axis of the member. The operation of the apparatus will now be described in detail which description will include the precise function and operation of the manifolds 44 and 46 as well as the free spinning rollers 58.

A roll 3% of tubular fabric 32 is disposed for expedient unwinding, and the first end of the fabric is extended upwardly through guide 30, delivery rolls 22, guide 34 and over roller 36 so that the fabric tube envelops the upper end 42 of member 12. At this location, air pressure is applied through apertures 62 of manifold 44, and the air jet formed thereby urges the tubular fabric downwardly over and around the outside surface of member 12 to the collecting device- 16 below. The speed of this collecting operation is regulated by the speed of motor 24 as the air jets provided through apertures 62 can collect the material about the exterior of member 12 as quickly as it can be delivered by rolls 22. The operation continues until the entire roll 38 of fabric 32 is collected about the exterior of member i2.

After the roll 38 has been depleted, the terminal fabric end of that roll is introduced into the member interior over rollers 58 so that it becomes subjected to the air jet formed by the inner manifold ring 46 and apertures 64 contained therein. These air jets are directed against the fabric to move it downwardly and through the interior of member l2 and outwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 3b. Again, the speed of this operation is controlled by the exterior fabric drawing device 66 as the fabric canbe moved through the channel interior at any convenient rate by varying the pressure of the air jets.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is centered about a vertically disposed tubular member, it will be apparent that the member can be horizontally situated with equal effectiveness should floor space not be a crucial factor. lt is also apparent that suitable apparatus can be applied to the frame 14 at the location above the upper end 42 of member l2 to automatically introduce the tubular fabric over the member 12 and automatically control and insert the terminal end of fabric 32 into the interior of member l2. As has been previously noted, the operating speed of the apparatus disclosed is limited only by the fabric driving capability, and this will vary in accordance with the weight and characteristics of the fabric being everted.

While a novel apparatus has been developed for everting tubular fabric, it will be apparent that the method of everting in continuous fashion is novel and affords advantages in cloth manufacturing operations heretofore unattainable. It can be seen that the method includes the positioning of tubular fabric at one end of an elongated tubular member such as 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, collecting the fabric around the member 12 by selectively directing air flow, inserting and displacing the fabric into and through the interior of the member l2 by selectively directed air flow and drawing the fabric outwardly from the member interior in an everted condition.

Many modifications and variations may be made in the embodiment of the present invention disclosed without departing from the spirit and purpose thereof, and changes in the tubular member, pneumatic systems and drive and guide controls as well as other components are contemplated. lt is the intent to be restricted only by the scope of the appended claims and to be accorded the use of mechanical equivalents to the components disclosed.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for everting a supply of tubular fabric comprising: an elongated tubular member having an interior channel; means directing the movement of the tubular fabric to said member; means collecting the tubular fabric supply over one end of said member; pneumatic means moving the fabric through said interior channel of said member whereby the inside ofthe tubular fabric is turned to the outside and everted.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim l, said directing means including fabric drive means and fabric guide means directing the tubular fabric from the fabric supply to said tubular member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said fabric guide and drive means including a frame extending to at least one end of said tubular member and at least one pair of variable speed delivery rolls adjacent said frame moving the tubular fabric.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said collecting means including outer air means directing air flow to engage and position the fabric over said member end, said air means including outer manifold means positioned on said member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge the fabric about said tubular member, and said outer manifold means comprising an outer annular manifold ring encircling the exterior of said tubular member adjacent said member end, an air source, and air line means extending from said source to said outer annular ring, and said air jets including a plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow outwardly from and at angles less than with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim l, said collecting means including outer air means directing air flow to engage and position the fabric over said member end.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said outer air means including outer manifold means positioned on said member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge the fabric about said tubular member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, said outer manifold means comprising an outer annular manifold ring encircling the exterior of said tubular member adjacent said member end, an air source, and air line means extending from said source to said outer annular ring, and said air jets including a plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow outwardly from and at angles less than 90 with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said pneumatic means including inner air means directing air flow to displace the fabric through said tubular member interior channel.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, said inner air means including inner manifold means positioned adjacent said tubular member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge it through said tubular member interior channel.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, said inner manifold means including an inner annular manifold ring encircling said member interior channel, an air source, and air line means extending from said source to said annular ring, and said air jets including of plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow inwardly toward and at angles of less than 90 with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member,

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim l, said pneumatic means including inner air means directing air flow to displace the fabric through said tubular member interior channel, said inner air means including inner manifold means positioned adjacent said tubular member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge it through said'tubular member interior channel, and said inner manifold means having an inner annular manifold ring encircling said member interior channel, and air source, and air line means extending from said source to said annular ring, and said air jets including a plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow inwardly toward and at angles of less than 90 with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.

l2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising roller means facilitating movement of the fabric over said tubular member end and through said tubular member interior channel, said roller means including a plurality of free spinning rollers rotatably held about the annular edge of said tubular member, and said apparatus further comprising means drawing the everted fabric outwardly from said tubular member interior channel to a remote location.

` 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim l further comprising roller means facilitating movement of the fabric over said tubular member end and through said tubularmember interior channel, said 4roller means including a plurality of free spinning rollers rotatably held about the annular edge of said tubular member.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising exterior fabric drawing means drawing the everted fabric outwardly from said tubular member interior channel to a remote location. 

1. Apparatus for everting a supply of tubular fabric comprising: an elongated tubular member having an interior channel; means directing the movement of the tubular fabric to said member; means collecting the tubular fabric supply over one end of said member; pneumatic means moving the fabric through said interior channel of said member whereby the inside of the tubular fabric is turned to the outside and everted.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said directing means including fabric drive means and fabric guide means directing the tubular fabric from the fabric supply to said tubular member.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said fabric guide and drive means including a frame extending to at least one end of said tubular member and at least one pair of variable speed delivery rolls adjacent said frame moving the tubular fabric.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said collecting means including outer air means directing air flow to engage and position the fabric over said member end, said air means including outer manifold means positioned on said member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge the fabric about said tubular member, and said outer manifold means comprising an outer annular manifold ring encircling the exterior of said tubular member adjacent said member end, an air source, and air line means extending from said source to said outer annular ring, and said air jets including a plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow outwardly from and at angles less than 90* with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said collecting means including outer air means directing air flow to engage and position the fabric over said member end.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said outer air means including outer manifold means positioned on said member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge the fabric about said tubular member.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, said outer manifold means comprising an outer annular manifold ring encircling the exterior of said tubular member adjacent said member end, an air source, and air line means extending from said source to said outer annular ring, and said air jets including a plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow outwardly from and at angles less than 90* with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said pneumatic means including inner air means directing air flow to displace the fabric through said tubular member interior channel.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, said inner air means including inner manifold means positioned adjacent said tubular member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge it through said tubular member interior channel.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, said inner manifold means including an inner annular manifold ring encircling said member interior channel, an air source, and air line means extending from said source to said annular ring, and said air jets including of plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow inwardly toward and at angles of less than 90* with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said pneumatic means including inner air means directing air flow to displace the fabric through said tubular member interior channel, said inner air means including inner manifold means positioned adjacent said tubular member end having a plurality of air jets directing air flow against the fabric to urge it through said tubular member interior channel, and said inner manifold means having an inner annular manifold ring encircling said member interior channel, and air source, and air line means extending from said source to said annular ring, and said air jets including a plurality of apertures in and around said ring, said apertures positioned to direct air flow inwardly toward and at angles of less than 90* with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising roller means facilitating movement of the fabric over said tubular member end and through said tubular member interior channel, said roller means including a plurality of free spinning rollers rotatably held about the annular edge of said tubular member, and said apparatus further comprising means drawing the everted fabric outwardly from said tubular member interior channel to a remote location.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising roller means facilitating movement of the fabric over said tubular member end and through said tubular member interior channel, said roller means including a plurality of free spinning rollers rotatably held about the annular edge of said tubular member.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising exterior fabric drawing means drawing the everted fabric outwardly from said tubular member interior channel to a remote location.
 15. A method of everting a supply of tubular fabric comprising the steps of: directing the tubular fabric to one end of an elongated tubular member; collecting the fabric around and onto the member by selectively directed air flow; inserting and displacing the fabric into and through an interior channel of the member by selectively directed air flow; and drawing the fabric outwardly from the member interior channel in an everted condition. 